When Archos released it’s first Donut (Android 1.6) firmware, those who installed it noticed a great new feature… Screenshots!

With the press of a button, users could capture their screens to PNG files, making it easy to describe new apps or illustrate blogs like this one.

But that firmware was quickly pulled for bugs in the browser and, most likely, for other reasons (like the developer code left in the release, including the screenshot functionality).

However, when the proper firmware release of Donut debuted yesterday, some users were sorry to see that screenshots were a no-show.

So, here comes Devo, the same hacker who brought us the first simplified Market hack for Donut, to the rescue!

It’s not an app but a simple script that will allow more adventurous users to grab screenshots off the device when tethered via a USB connection to a PC, Mac or Linux box.  Here’s the original forum thread and a complete how-to guide, as well as the links to the files you’ll need.

Devo harnesses some built-in developer functionality in the A5A and combines it with the scripts, drivers and files you’ll need to get great PNG screenshots on the Archos SSD, HDD or even right to your PC.

Be advised that this requires getting an ADB connection working with your Archos, a special developer’s mode that some users have problems getting going especially on 64 bit Vista and Windows 7 PCs.

But if you’re wanting some of that screen capture mojo back and you’ve got a little knowledge and the patience, then Devo’s got your hookup!

-Michael P

Discuss this hack and get help getting it going in the forum: http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=29826

M4rk3t and Devo have released solutions for installing the full Google Marketplace including the Google Apps such as Gmail, Maps and Listen onto the Archos 5 Internet Tablet with Android. Devo’s hack was released a week ago in this thread which required the ADB debug method to work.

Now, M4rk3t is back with an even easier solution! M4rk3t has combined all the hackings required in one simple .apk file that simply needs to be manually installed to unlock all the Google Experience goodness!

That is, until Google hopefully soon officially allows Archos to include all the Google apps including the Google Marketplace on this device.

It is to be said that Archos 5 Internet Tablet with Android probably supports more than 95% of all Android apps of the Google Marketplace just fine, even though Archos is the first Android device and still the only one on the market with a 4.8″ medium density WVGA 800×480 touch screen, and even though Archos comess as the cheapest Android device on the market selling at only $249 unlocked without contracts at Radio Shacks in the USA, even though Archos does not come with Compass, 3G and a camera, but instead supports hard drive storage, USB host, video inputs, HDMI output, all video and audio codecs up to 720p, even H264 high profile videos (maximum bitrate supported needs to be tested with the latest 1.7.33 firmware).

›› Download Archos 5 Internet Tablet OS v 1.7.33 (86528Kb)

What’s new in this version?
New Android 1.6 “Donut”
- Optimization of applications on the high-resolution screen of the ARCHOS 5 IT
- New “Quick Search” to find your Apps, Music, Contacts, and browsing history and get suggested search results as you type
- Easy access to battery saving features (wifi, screen, gps, etc.) show me
New version of office documents viewer (ThinkFree Mobile 1.2)

The full changelog:

Firmware changes

Version 1.7.33 – January 20th, 2010

Since this firmware is based on a new version of Android, after the update, you will be prompted to reset your device configuration. It is highly recommended to do so. The extra applications that you may have installed will need to be re-installed, but your multimedia files will not be affected.

Android 1.6 “Donut”: quick search box, power control widget, battery usage indicator screen, WVGA screen native support, VPN
ThinkFree Mobile 1.2: double-tap zoom in PDF, miscellaneous bug fixes and speed improvements
Video: add automatic gain control option for sound in Video Player
Video: fix support for MJPG files
Video: improve youtube playback support
Music: add support for .mp2 files
Music: allow to play shoutcast .PLS files from the web browser
TV: improve image centering in Video Player when using DVR Snap-on
Android: fix touch screen offset experienced in some applications due to presence of Archos status bar
Keyboard: add up and down arrow keys in Android keyboard (press “?123″ to get it)
Keyboard: add “OK” key in Android keyboard (long press on “Return” key to get it)
GUI: improved Archos Widget layout on TV
Storage: correct random hard disk disconnection while playing music or video
Network: fix UPnP and network sharing not working on Wi-Fi access point not complying with Wi-Fi power saving standard specification
Network: add an option to disable power saving at the expense of battery life for a specific access point at first association to cope with some buggy Wi-Fi access points
Network: fix archos multimedia application sometimes failed to access the network
Alarm Clock: fix alarm could not be set when android multimedia library was off
System: use Android default notification sound when android multimedia library is off
System: add accelerometer calibration in Startup Wizard

Discuss this firmware and report eventual bugs in the forum: http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=29796